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Graduate student recognized for student affairs leadership

Andrew Travis, a graduate student in the College Student Affairs
Leadership program, was recently recognized for his leadership and
passion for student affairs and higher education.

Travis received a Graduate Rising Star Award from the Student Affairs
Administrators in Higher Education Association (NASPA) at a conference
in Detroit in November. The award recognizes one graduate student from
each state who does outstanding work in the areas of higher education
and student affairs.

Travis, from Shepherd, was nominated by Johnathan Davey, coordinator
of student activities and summer housing programs at Michigan
Technological University, and LeaAnn Tibbe, associate director of
student life at Grand Valley. Travis completed an internship at
Michigan Tech in summer 2017 and has worked in the Office of Student
Life at Grand Valley as a graduate assistant since 2016.

“I was highly impressed with Andrew's work ethic, his passion for
higher learning, his willingness to help others, and his impeccable
social media game,” Davey said. “Andrew has an abundance of talents
that inspired me to nominate him for this award.”

Travis will graduate with a master's degree in higher education, with
an emphasis on student affairs leadership, in April 2018. He's
currently completing an internship in Grand Valley's University
Communications department.

Travis said his passion for student affairs stems from his own
experience as an undergraduate student at Grand Valley.

“I quickly discovered the importance of getting involved and being
engaged in the campus community, and student life is one of the main
hubs that helps students across all backgrounds get involved,” Travis
said. "I chose to go into this kind of work because it’s a gift
that never stops giving. Every day is a new day and you’re always
helping a new student out.”

Travis said one of the most rewarding things about working in student
life is planning events that bring the community together.

“Campus Life Night is one of my favorite campus events because you
have all of these first-year students who are discovering their path
and we get the opportunity to help them find their home," he said.